Wayzata Lake Effect

One of the Strategic Initiatives of the Wayzata City Council is the Lake Effect Park Project. This proposed project, as defined in the recently approved resolution at the August 3, 2016 City Council Meeting, is the culmination of several years of a wide spectrum of community feedback. Please note that this project is primarily dependent on private fund raising on behalf of the City’s partnership with the Lake Effect Conservancy.

The Lake Minnetonka shoreline is one of Wayzata’s greatest treasures – Lake Effect Park will build on the vitality of the community asset to become a glimmering gem in the heart of the city. The park will improve lakefront access for residents, benefiting the community as a whole. Equally important are the positive impacts that the park will have on lake ecology, helping to preserve this resource to be enjoyed by future generations.

Phase 1

The first phase of the project extends from the Section Foreman House to Boat Works and from Lake Street to the water’s edge. A meandering continuous boardwalk, the Lake Walk, will extend from the Broadway community docks to the historic Depot. Along the length is a series of elevated terraces providing many opportunities for residents to sit along the lake edge and dip their toes in the water. The entire shoreline will be restored to its natural ecological state.

To the east of the Lake Walk is a proposed Eco Park, a restored historic shoreline marsh that also serves to improve water quality. A fishing pier extends into Lake Minnetonka and an environmental education center is housed within the historic Section Foreman House, providing a convenient location for local schools to come and learn about diverse ecosystems as well as an intergenerational community center.

Lake Street will be redesigned to be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, with a signature urban park replacing the Broadway Municipal parking lot. This year round park space will include café seating, a retail kiosk, landscaping and shade trees to create a relaxed urban experience with expansive views of Lake Minnetonka. The space will be highly adaptable to support a variety of community events.